President Cyril Ramaphosa says he cannot be compelled to come and provide evidence on funding for his CR17 campaign in the parliamentary impeachment process of suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
On Tuesday, during the section 194 parliamentary inquiry, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said Ramaphosa should come and testify on the funding for his ANC campaign “to make sure that public funds have not gone to that”.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said it was the National Assembly that initiated a section 194 inquiry to investigated Mkhwebane and that Ramaphosa had not made any allegations against her.
“Therefore, the president cannot be compelled to provide evidence proving or disproving these accusations… Accordingly, President Ramaphosa rejects the suggestion by the Hon General Bantu Holomisa that he should give evidence on his 2017 party political campaign during the section 194 inquiry.
“Gen Holomisa’s speculation that the CR17 campaign 'may have' used public funds is baseless, misdirected and vindictive. It is an abuse of parliamentary processes and privilege. It has never been alleged that public funds were used by the CR17 campaign,” Magwenya said.
The Constitutional Court judgment last year ruled that the public protector had no authority to investigate the CR17 campaign, given that this was not an organ of state and therefore not within the public protector's remit.
Ramaphosa suspended Mkhwebane on June 9 pending the outcome of the parliamentary inquiry.
Magwenya said Holomisa is well advised that the ConCourt remains the final arbiter of justice and its judgments must be accepted and respected.
“Parliament does not have the mandate to review Constitutional Court judgments in the separation of powers of the executive, legislative and the judiciary.
“The section 194 inquiry into Adv Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office is not a platform to make unsubstantiated allegations that fall outside of the scope of inquiry,” he said.
In another statement, Magwenya rejected allegations made by Adv Malesela Teffo that he is part of an alleged plan to intimidate him during the murder trial of Bafana Bafana star Senzo Meyiwa.
On Tuesday, Teffo withdrew as counsel for four of the five accused in the case, citing harassment and intimidation from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the court without providing evidence.
Teffo made wild allegations without providing proof or further details in court that the plan to get him off the case was hatched from the highest office in the land.
He failed to provide any proof even when journalists questioned him about this claim after the proceedings.
“The Presidency finds these unsubstantiated and baseless claims mischievous and harmful to the standing of the office of the president. The Presidency does not participate in criminal investigations or trials and is not involved in any perceived or actual harassment of Adv Teffo,” said Magwenya in a statement.
“As an officer of the court and a professional in the legal fraternity, Adv Teffo must appreciate the level of veracity that is necessary to support such claims about any institution or individual. The Presidency espouses the values of our Constitution and cherishes the protection, safety and justice for all.”
Teffo represented Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube and Mthokoziseni Maphisa.
The fifth accused, Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli, is represented by Adv Zandile Mshololo.
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